Aberdeen council chief executive to take over as Dundee University boss

The chief executive of Aberdeen City Council will become the principal of Dundee University, it has been announced, as the institution looks to recover from a financial black hole.

Angela Scott will become the university’s vice chancellor on October 19, taking over from interim boss Professor Nigel Seaton.

The institution has been at the centre of a firestorm in the past year after a potential £30 million black hole in its finances was exposed, resulting in the departure of the previous leadership team.

As she prepares to finish up in her role in Aberdeen and return to her home city of Dundee, Ms Scott said she was “confident” in the future of the university.

“The University of Dundee has a remarkable history and a well-earned international reputation for excellence in education, research and innovation,” she said.

“I look forward to working with staff, students, alumni and partners to build on those strengths.

“While the university has faced significant challenges in recent years, I am confident in its future.

“By building on the achievements of generations of staff and students, we have an opportunity to strengthen and renew the university for the long term, ensuring it continues to make a positive difference locally, nationally and internationally.

“It is an extraordinary privilege to return to Dundee to lead one of the city’s most important institutions.

“I am excited to begin working with the university community to shape the next chapter in its distinguished history.”

The announcement came on the same day as news that campus unions are preparing five weeks of strikes as a result of the cuts and job losses brought on by the financial mismanagement of past administrations.

The university has already cut 815 jobs, with plans for 200 more.

Esther Roberton, the chair of the university court, said she was “delighted” Ms Scott would be taking on the role.

“Universities across Scotland continue to face significant challenges and Angela has demonstrated her ability to steer an organisation confidently through severe external pressures,” she added.

“She brings values-driven leadership, vision and financial discipline, all of which will be critical to the development of a new university strategy to guide its direction over the next five years.”

Prof Seaton, Ms Roberton said, was “pivotal to our survival” during his interim period in the role.

In a joint statement, Aberdeen City Council co-leaders Ian Yuill and Christian Allard said the move was a “tremendous opportunity” for Ms Scott, who had “led the council through a period of significant challenge”.